Moore/Bertuzzi: “The Hit” Ten Years Later
The ten year saga of the Steve Moore/Todd Bertuzzi incident has finally come to an official end. Around midday yesterday, Moore held a press conference to announce that the lawsuit filed by him against Bertuzzi and the Vancouver Canucks had been settled out of court. The terms of the settlement originally submitted in mid August, were not disclosed and most likely never will be, due to a confidentiality clause within the settlement agreement.
“This day comes with mixed emotions, these years have been very difficult for me and my family.” – Steve Moore
With the closure of this case the NHL and everyone involved can finally put away one the most brutal hits ever seen in a game. This incident has been a thorn in the side of everyone involved. For those readers that are not familiar with the details of ‘The Hit”, I will share with you what it was.
At the time of “The Hit”, Steve Moore was an up and coming rookie with the Colorado Avalanche. Todd Bertuzzi was already known to be a tough bruiser of a forward for the Vancouver Canucks. “The Hit” was said to be in retaliation for a hit placed on Vancouver star Markus Naslund by Moore two meetings prior. Naslund suffered a concussion and a chipped bone in his elbow, but returned three games later.
The following match-up between the Av’s and the Nuck’s was built up by ongoing chatter coming out of the Canucks locker room about there being a bounty for Moores head and the rumor that Marc Crawford the head coach of Vancouver at the time saying Moore needed to “Pay the price.” for his hit on Naslund. With commissioner himself Gary Bettman in the house that game was played without incident to a 5-5 draw.
“The injuries I sustained in my rookie year, the years I spent trying to return to my N.H.L. career, and dealing with the loss of my career and the ensuing legal case, have been long and trying experiences.” – Steve Moore
In the third match up between these two team five days later and with no commissioner in the building; to say the game became physical is an understatement. With in the first six minutes of the game Vancouvers Matt Cooke picked a fight with Moore, with Moore getting the better of Cooke; that only one of four fights in the first period and a score of 5-0 in favor of Colorado. The second period was quiet when it came to the dropping of gloves, it was also the only period with any scoring by Vancouver with two being potted by
and Colorado with a goal as well to end the period.
The third period was where things heated up with the Av’s leading 8-2 just over eight minutes into the third period and Moore on the ice Marc Crawford sends Bertuzzi onto the ice. If you have never seen footage of “The Hit” look below.
For the incident, Todd Bertuzzi was served a ten minute match penalty for attempt to injure, later Bertuzzi was faced with criminal charges from the Attorney General of British Columbia. Bertuzzi eventually pled guilty to a lesser charge as part of a plea agreement in which he was to serve 80 hours community Service and one year probation.
Ten years later after being treated for three fractured vertebra, a severe concussion, as well as a hand full of other injuries; Steve Moore can now try to forget about that night and with his family move forward with his life.